ART Leave No Longer Authorized

Air reserve technicians can no longer use 44 days of military leave while serving on active duty outside the continental United States, according to the Pentagon. When using ART leave, they are in an active-duty status without military pay, receive their civilian paychecks and accrue points toward a reserve retirement. The program was established to encourage ARTs to volunteer for noncombat duties overseas without having to take annual civilian leave or leave without pay to serve. Officials had interpreted the law to mean that, although those who were activated or recalled supporting current operations were prohibited from ART leave, those who had volunteered for active duty overseas were allowed to use it. However, once a national emergency is declared, no one can use it, said human resources specialist Margaret Keith. ARTS are federal civil service employees who also serve as Air Force reservists in the same position.